Filthy environment – Photo: Sodiq Ojuroungbe Our reporters As the federal and state governments intensify efforts to combat the latest cholera outbreak, medical experts have warned that it may spread to many more communities and states during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration if necessary measures are not quickly taken. Speaking in separate interviews with Sunday PUNCH, they noted that an increase in travel over the holiday season might result in a rise in cholera cases. This comes as the Lagos State Government confirmed 15 deaths from the infection.
Cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by the ingestion of the bacteria— Vibrio cholerae— in contaminated water and food. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention also warned the public of the increasing trend of cholera cases across the country as the rainy season intensifies. The centre stated that from January 1 to June 11, 2024, over 1,141 suspected and over 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths, had been reported from 96 LGAs in 30 states.
It noted that the 10 states contributing 90 per cent to the burden of cholera include Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos states. In Nigeria, cholera is an endemic and seasonal disease, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and more frequently in areas with poor sanitation. There were 473,000 cholera cases reported to WHO in 2022 – double the number from 2021.
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